Scarlet Meidiland and Sevilliana have bloomed and grown more than any other roses I have. They came from the bare root sale they had in 2006, along with Linda Thompson and several others. They got moved out of the rose garden because they got too big, and the colors clashed with all my pastel Austins. They deserve a bed of their own, anyway. The HD roses are already blooming, and while it seems like too many when I'm planting, once they bloom I always regret not buying more! Of course, this year we've had incredible rains and cooler temps, so even the body bag roses have flourished. I think the Wayside Buy 1 get 2 free sale was the clearance sale. I bought several, and one got cancelled for some reason, but the rest have not been shipped yet! They were supposed to go out today, but who knows... They are J&P stock instead of wayside. My very best performers are the ones I bought bare root. The potted bushes from local nurseries start out as bare roots from Weeks or J&P and are grown out in cool greenhouses, and they take forever to adjust to the garden. The bare roots either make it or don't fairly quickly. When Wayside/Parks posts clearance roses, I buy types I wouldn't normally look at like minis and ogr's and rugosas, and I've been really happy with all I've tried. I'm also more likely to buy in multiples on the sales. I'm beginning to understand the design principle of planting in groups. My group of Julia Child is awesome, and so is my row of Fourth of July, and today I saw the first buds on my hedge of Carefree Wonder. I'm hoping it looks like Pappu's someday. All were clearance roses! Anyway, if there is a late sale this year, I sure hope someone posts it! I'm still looking for Disneyland Rose, Laura Bush, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sweeet Promise, Catalina, Bishop's Castle, Chihuly, Happy Chappy. That's my fantasy, finding all those for 2.69 each with free shipping, haha. cindi

IâÂÂm trying to ID this plant. Though I have not been to the swap in the last two years, due to conflicts on that date, IâÂÂm wondering if past participants can ID something for me. Therefore if someone brought this plant, if would have been from 2011. It may just be a weed. ItâÂÂs very tall now, because I remembered planting something from the swap in that area, so I let it go though I did not recognize it. Maybe 5 feet, and still getting taller. Growing tips are always bent over. Getting a lot of sidegrowth and branching now. The white fluffy things are just the flowers of the persicaria plant showing behind it. Thanks for your help!

Yeah Pam.....I have to agree with Token. Try feeding squirrels. The bird seed is ALREADY attracting them so thats a given. So feed then something more accessible. Preferably away from the birds, but mine is right nearby, since my space is limited. I'd stopped (feeding them specifically) and definitely notice a difference. 'We' (and I say 'we' cuz he's passed away and now it's all up to ME) didnt deliberately feed the squirrels separately at first, knowing no better. Originally put up our first "home-made feeder up that was too accessible for them a couple years ago. So my guy bought another better made BIRD feeder which we called the "bird condo" not because it was for housing, but because it looked like a stacked condo. Every bird loved it. Even doves who dont typically eat from hanging feeder learned how to use it. We got a lot of joy out of it (until the plastic rotted and it was time to lay it to rest). But since we left the ORIGNAL old wooden home-made one still there, and easily accessible for Mr. Squirrel, my guy just kept filling it with cheap cracked corn feed and Mr. Squirrel just kept to himself, happy as a clam, and never bothered the bird feeders. Gotta say, this was LAST year when the 'condo' was still up in the SIDE yard, by the "squirrel" tree. & "old" squirrel (sp?) feeder. Now, the plastic rotted good feeder (the "condo" feeder) is gone ...:o) No more "BIRD CONDO" -- so no seed on the side of the house, where the squirrel tree is. It did have a cover over it for rain and such like a little house. In fact, he'd take 'shelter' under it during a rain - so that may be a thought when/if you designate one JUST for them. He seemed to like that he could 'huddle' under the 'roof' and stay dry (it WAS big enough for that). I guess its one of those things like "if you cant beat them - join them" sort of things. In my case, I really didnt have but two or three squirrels visiting. And then eventually, they coupled off and mated. So I can't speak for more rural areas with tons of squirrels. Just agreeing with Token that if you give them what THEY like, they WILL stay away from feeders. bonnie

I don't know if it is possible...but putting up an elk fence of 8' plus might be the only way of actually getting the produce from your garden and also being able to grow the perennials that you like. Around here, for the deer, I own a dog, but also spray with an egg mixture. The protein in the egg is what deters the deer. So, whip the egg and add it to a 4 litre jug of water. Shake and spray on your plants. This has to be reapplied after a rain as it washes off the plants. Some people add all kinds of other things to the egg solution which are not necessary like garlic, cayenne pepper, etc etc.as it is the protein in the egg that deters the deer. In raised beds you will have to plant the perennials away from the edge, only planting the hardiest of the hardiest close to the edge. As you are so far north, I wonder if all the same plants that I sent to one of the Far North gardeners who lives in Thompson, Manitoba would also do just fine at your place. I sent her Siberian irises, miniature SDB and MDB irises, hens and chicks, Crater Lake Blue veronica and some creeping sedums. Peonies should do just fine for you there, although you will need more than a few inches of soil for them. For daylilies try to get more of the dormant diploids or the tetraploid diploids, maybe semievergreen....but generally stay away from the tetraploid evergreen ones as they like warmer temps. There again...deer love daylilies! Deer also love delphiniums...which I can attest to. If you are wanting to grow delphiniums try the New Millenium series as they are generally shorter, have a much sturdier stem and have many more flowers on the stems than the Pacific Giants. So, if you are going to grow any delphiniums, start with the New Millenium ones. Hope that this helps. Brenda